Financial Services >> Analyst Interviews >> February 26, 2001
KATRINA BLECHER is a Managing Director at Sandler O'Neill & Partners,
LP, covering large, regional banks. She specializes in analysis of
banking and finance institutions as well as industry trends from the
start of her comprehensive career. Ms. Blecher was previously associated
with Gruntal & Co., L.L.C., Brown Brothers Harriman, Oppenheimer &
Company, Inc., Fitch Investors Service, Inc., Fahnestock & Company,
Inc., Piper Jaffray and IBCA, Inc. She received a BA in Economics from
Columbia University and is currently a member of the New York Society of
Security Analysts and the Bank and Financial Analysts Association. Profile
TWST: Kate, what drives investor sentiment toward the bank stocks andwhat drives the stocks?
Ms. Blecher: Investor sentiment is driven by three main factors, the
primary factor being interest